E952 – Cyclamates
SweetenerDescription
Synthetic non-nutritive sweetener produced by sulfonation of cyclohexylamine
Notes
Cyclamates are artificial sweeteners created in laboratories from a chemical compound called cyclohexylamine. This starting material goes through a series of chemical reactions to produce the final sweetening compound. The process involves combining cyclohexylamine with sulfuric acid to create a stable, intensely sweet powder that dissolves easily in water. Cyclamates work as sugar substitutes in foods and drinks, providing sweetness without the calories. They're about 30 to 50 times sweeter than regular sugar, so only tiny amounts are needed. You'll commonly find cyclamates in diet sodas, sugar-free gum, low-calorie desserts, and diabetic-friendly foods. They're particularly useful in baked goods because they remain stable at high temperatures, unlike some other artificial sweeteners. This is a completely synthetic additive, not found anywhere in nature. It's suitable for vegetarians and vegans since it's made from chemical processes rather than animal or plant sources. However, cyclamates are banned in the United States due to safety concerns from old studies, though they're approved for use in many other countries including Canada and most of Europe, where regulatory agencies consider them safe at normal consumption levels.